A little-noticed number in last week's Marist College poll on the Gillibrand-Ford situation suggests that Sen. Charles Schumer's national profile could be affecting his approval rating at home.:D

The poll had Schumer's negative rating at 42 percent, where it has been for months in Marist -- but his approval rating was at 51 percent, one of his lowest in that survey in recent years, and down from 58 percent in September.

"We're seeing some general erosion in his numbers," said Marist pollster Lee Miringoff, "from what's been a consistent mid- to high-50s. This is an electorate that's increasingly unhappy."

Insiders say Schumer is watching the national trend for any implications for himself -- and in a clear signal of anxiety, he was one of the first out of the box with a statement after the Massachusetts election acknowledging the anger among voters at the ruling party.

After years acting as a nonpartisan figure, Schumer tone has become increasingly partisan, and as he's become more a of a senior figure in Washington -- which could leave him without a firewall against national voter anger against the ruling Democratic party.

It's just one poll, and two other surveys have his numbers higher:

Quinnipiac University and Sienna College have his approval over 60 percent -- but for a veteran poll-parser and political obssesser like Schumer, the numbers could be a flag.

"There is a sense that .... his focus has shifted to Washington," said one longtime New York Democratic insider. The insider acknowledged that Schumer is still doing as many small-bore Empire State pressers as he used to, but said there's a growing sense that he's focused on national issues.

New York's senior senator is the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate, and some believe he's eyeing a higher position.